Handbrake light won't go off

[jbee808]

Hi Dave I hope all is going well. The last two days my rear brake light indicator won't go off after releasing the handbrake lever. I looked through the manual and found the circuit diagram but I don't know where the on/off switch is. Is it under the center console?

Thanks.

John

[csmorkt]

Numero 5
http://www.hondapartscheap.com/southbay/jsp/catimgs/14S2A0_B26.gif

[Coop]

have you checked the brake fluid in the master cylinder to see if it is too low? I think the light is used for the hand brake, low brake fluid and a brake problem.

[desmo4]

Yes, remove the center console and you will see it.

Jonathan

[Tugz S2k]

Sometimes the simplest of things are overlooked, check your brake fluid level

[repiv]

These guys have made a good point. Check brake fluid level first. Note that sometimes, even though the level may be adequate, the sensor that monitors the level may be stuck. You may have to pull out the little screen, etc under the cap to see what's going on. Don't dribble brake fluid on any painted surface.
If all's well, then pop the center console cover and look for a switch near the hand lever base.

[desmo4]

My error I was thinking of parking brake sw.

Jonathan

[gomarlins3]

Brake fluid level is low or the pads are to low which makes the fluid low. Check both before filling the reservoir (sp?).

[jbee808]

Thanks guys! Y'all the best!

John

[jbee808]

Just an update....Light is still on....=(

I checked the brakes, pads look meaty. Pedal feel is ok. The fluid level looked ok, it wasn't low but it wasn't maxed either. I took a look at the switch under the center console. I unplugged the switch light remains on....shouldn't it go off???. I couldn't find any leaks in the lines. Anyone have any other thoughts?

Dave...when checking the fluid I took the screen out of the reservoir, but didn't know which part is the sensor.

thanks

[repiv]

Just an update....Light is still on....=(

I checked the brakes, pads look meaty. Pedal feel is ok. The fluid level looked ok, it wasn't low but it wasn't maxed either. I took a look at the switch under the center console. I unplugged the switch light remains on....shouldn't it go off???. I couldn't find any leaks in the lines. Anyone have any other thoughts?

Dave...when checking the fluid I took the screen out of the reservoir, but didn't know which part is the sensor.

thanks

Hmmm, not sure about that. Try grounding the contacts on the plug that you pull off the switch and see if that turns off the switch. If it doesn't, then you must go back to the fluid reservoir. Somewhere, on the outside of the reservoir, you should see a wiring harness. The sensor should be on the other side of the wall. Make sure the level is in the "good". If the light still doesn't go off, make sure the cap is on tightly and give the whole reservoir a few good taps with your finger. That might dislodge the level sensor. If that doesn't do it, then there may be a real problem with your brake system and further investigation may be necessary.
BTW, maybe the wiring harness is loose. Have a look.

[blownS]

Just an update....Light is still on....=(

I checked the brakes, pads look meaty. Pedal feel is ok. The fluid level looked ok, it wasn't low but it wasn't maxed either. I took a look at the switch under the center console. I unplugged the switch light remains on....shouldn't it go off???. I couldn't find any leaks in the lines. Anyone have any other thoughts?

Dave...when checking the fluid I took the screen out of the reservoir, but didn't know which part is the sensor.

thanks

I have this same problem. On mine (AP1), the sensor in the BF reservoir is broken, and no longer floats to the top like it should. Make sure your sensor (the little circular plastic thing that floats) is working the way it should.

[DaveL]

OK, this is weird ... my freakin' brake light just started coming on ... stays on most of the time, but goes off intermittentily ... dang, ... this is weird that this "problem" is cropping up at the same time ... unless others that have had it in the past just never posted ...

[Goku]

Yes the brake light switch needs a ground to turn off the light on the dash. More than likely your sensor in the reservoir is broken, or you are low on fluid and just don't realize it.

[Goku]

OK, this is weird ... my freakin' brake light just started coming on ... stays on most of the time, but goes off intermittentily ... dang, ... this is weird that this "problem" is cropping up at the same time ... unless others that have had it in the past just never posted ...

Check your brake fluid. That will cause the light to go on and off if it is just at the right low point. If its not to the top line add some...

[jbee808]

I have this same problem. On mine (AP1), the sensor in the BF reservoir is broken, and no longer floats to the top like it should. Make sure your sensor (the little circular plastic thing that floats) is working the way it should.

How high should the circular plastic thing be floating in the reservoir?

[blownS]

^ Pretty close to the surface.

[jbee808]

Thanks again everyones help, the light is finally off!

I opened up the reservoir this morning and drained the fluid to take a look at what was going on in there.

I found that the float was stuck in the low position. So, I took a paperclip (bent it into an "L") and pulled the float up. Next I poured in some new fluid, then I used the paperclip and jiggled the float up several times just to be sure the float was freed. In doing so, gunk built up under the float was being freed up! So I siphoned the fluid out, poured more new fluid in, jiggled the float again. I did this about three times. Filled it up one last time and replaced the reservoir cover back on, started the car up, and released the brake.....Voila...no light!

Thanks again, I couldn't have done it without y'alls help.

Blessings

J

[repiv]

Now you gotta wonder why the gunk built up like that. How often do you do a brake fluid flush? It should be done every couple of years or so.

[jbee808]

Now you gotta wonder why the gunk built up like that. How often do you do a brake fluid flush? It should be done every couple of years or so.

Thanks, I'll definitely will do that=) I normally would do it every time I change the brakes, but I guess with a high performance car like ours it should be done sooner. =) I just got the car about three months ago, so it could've been overlooked with the previous owner...Can that gunk be from mixing, lets say DOT3 and DOT4 together? When I saw the stuff come out it looked clumpy and almost black and just sat at the bottom of the reservoir. I think it slowly dissolved into the brake fluid, because I couldn't find it after sucking it out. But now I have nice clean fluid since I just bled the brake system Thanks to y'all!

J